Why Choose a Career in Criminal Justice
There are many advantages of a career in criminal justice, depending upon the type of career you pursue. The main advantages of working in criminal justice include the fact that you are involved in keeping law and order, that you are entrusted as a civil servant to help the public, that you earn a relatively high salary as compared with the national average and that you have a strong potential for job growth.
Types of Jobs and Advantages of a Career in Criminal Justice
The specific advantages of a career in criminal justice depend in part upon the job you do. Police officers, police detectives, forensic scientists, correctional officers and wardens and probation officers normally work for the state or federal government. This means that these individuals enjoy relatively good benefits usually, in the form of health insurance and government pensions. They also enjoy the benefit of being able to participate in keeping the streets safe and making the world a better place for all citizens. Paralegals work in law firms and generally enjoy good benefits and also have the privilege to help protect the rights of citizens and/or to help ensure that criminals get a fair trial within the justice system.
On-The-Job Advantages
Jobs in the criminal justice field can carry a high level of stress. Most people within the criminal justice field are working with the pubic on a regular basis, going into various crime scenes or interacting with criminals routinely. Although this can be stressful, it can also mean that your career is exciting and that no two days are the same. This is great for people who like faced past work and the variety and excitement of a job is one of the many benefits of a career in criminal justice
Education
The type of education you get generally contributes directly to the advantages of a career in criminal justice. An associate’s degree in criminal justice is often the minimum requirement to get a job within the field. Those who earn higher degrees, such as a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD may enjoy even more advantages as part of their career in criminal justice, as they can move up to higher positions within their field and enjoy higher salaries.
Job Growth and Salary
The better-than-average job growth in most careers in criminal justice, and the relatively high salaries for those with a career in criminal justice, are two other important advantages for people who want to pursue a career in criminal justice.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics collects data to estimate job growth and expected salary within different industries. According to data collected in 2008:
- For police officers, the median salary is $51,410 and the highest 10 percent earn $79,680 or higher. Jobs in this field are expected to grow at a rate of 10 percent through 2018.
- Police detectives earn an average salary of $75,409 and the highest 10 percent earn $97,870 or higher. Jobs in this field are expected to grow at a rate of 10 percent through 2018.
- Correctional officers earn an average salary of $38,380 and the highest 10 percent earn $64,110 or higher. Jobs in this field are expected to grow at a rate of 19 percent through 2018
- Forensic scientists earn an average salary of $49,857 and the highest percent make $80,330 or higher. Jobs in this field are expected to grow at a rate of around 20 percent through 2018.
- Paralegals have an average salary of $46,120 and he top ten percent earn $73,450 or higher. Jobs in this field are expected to grow at a rate of 28 percent through 2018.
